PETERBIO | Reverend Warren Vollmer

Reverend Warren Vollmer and Peterborough-Lakefield police officers fight evil in decidely different ways but their common goal of making a difference in their community is the tie that binds and makes his chaplaincy invaluable to officers' well-being

Related Stories

Warren Vollmer is way ahead of most on that count. As reverend at historic Lakefield United Church, he has enriched the spiritual growth of his congregation since 2003 as well as that of attendees to Young's Point United Church where he also ministers.

But as rewarding as his vocation is to the 42 year old, it's his ongoing duties as chaplain to the Peterborough-Lakefield Community Police Service that sees him near gush over the difference he can, and does make, in the lives of those sworn to protect us. Those who regularly encounter situations that would make even the most devout question their faith, both spiritually and in humankind.

"The situations they encounter are emotionally trying," notes Rev. Vollmer of the officers he counsels.

"They deal with good and evil in a black and white way. The potential lasting effects of what they deal with are not so clearly defined. Questions linger. I'm an ear for them; a shoulder to lean on. My job is not to convert. My job is to offer spiritually-based support. But that isn't forced on anyone."

If you're thinking Rev. Vollmer's role with the city police force is a token one, in place for appearances as opposed to substance, well, think again.

In December 2006, Rev. Vollmer was named the police service's chaplain but before taking on the volunteer role, he made it clear he wanted to job to be more than just a few added words on a business card. That stipulation was met with full agreement by then chief Terry McLaren, who initially sat down with Rev. Vollmer regarding the position that had become vacant.

Since then, Rev. Vollmer has put his own stamp firmly on the role, taking on as active a role with the service as time allows. A sworn member of the force, that includes accompanying officers on patrol, making himself available whenever circumstances dictate his involvement and even training on the police gun range. No, Rev. Vollmer doesn't carry a sidearm but should an incident arise when he's on patrol that dictates he take un-reverend-like action, he's trained.

"I don't even want to think about that happening...I've shot like six rounds in total," notes Rev. Vollmer, emitting a room-filling laugh that one is first taken aback by. However, that easy laugh points to one indisputable fact: its owner is a people person who comfortably interacts with others. That, when dealing with troubled minds and souls, is the most formidable weapon in his arsenal.

"I'm very proud of the fact that I've been accepted by the police as one of their own...very honoured," notes Rev. Vollmer of his place in a profession which can, and often does, close ranks around its own.

That, however, doesn't happen by accident.

---

The man who more than one city officer refers to as Chappy didn't initally follow a path that would lead to his present vocation. Warren Vollmer studied engineering and then philosophy at Hamilton's McMaster University before answering the call.

As a youth, his mother's duties as a minister took his family across Canada. That experience also instilled in the youngster an early appreciation of how draining, particularly emotionally, ministering is. Still, years later, after completing his undergrad, Rev. Vollmer moved to the west coast and completed a four-year Masters of Divinity degree at the Vancouver School of Theology.

Promptly after, he headed back east, to a church posting in Berwick, New Brunswick. But he didn't make that long trip alone -- Susan, who he had met at McMaster, was now his wife. The couple spent five years in Berwick before he Rev. Vollmer took his current position at Lakefield United Church in 2003. Just last month, the congregation marked the church's 150th anniversary at its Regent Street location.

"There's a lot of history here...church members are very proud of that history and should be," notes Rev. Vollmer, who besides ministering at Young's Point United Church and serving as a police chaplain is also chaplain for Lakefield Branch 77 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

"I have a pretty full week," he understates.

It was in 2007 that an already busy ministry became busier for Rev. Vollmer. When the then Peterborough-Lakefield police chaplain resigned, the search was on for his successor. Deputy police chief Ken Jackman, being a member of Lakefield United, was familiar with Rev. Vollmer and what he could bring to the position. Their talk was followed by that meeting with Chief Terry McLaren.

"I told him I wasn't willing to serve in just a functionary and, at it turned out, what he envisioned for the role, that it be more hands-on, was what I wanted," notes Rev. Vollmer.

Since then, he has undergone chaplaincy-related training, now serving as second vice-president of the Canadian Police Chaplains Association. Course material has covered such topics as compassion fatigue and crisis and grief counseling. While such instruction has been, and still is, beneficial to his dealings with officers, his hands-on approach to his role has equipped him with a skill set no course manual can provide.

"I need to have as good an understanding as I can of what an officer goes through," assesses Rev. Vollmer.

"There similarities between their role and mine. We're both in public positions. We both have to act as social workers. As a minister, you want to bring good into the world and police officers, although we don't hear about it nearly enough, try to do the same. I guess the only difference is that in my work, I don't have to get into fights with people.

"This is definitely not a position for the faint of heart...if you've got a squeamish stomach, it's not for you. The ride-alongs can be really eye-opening but I think they're key to building trust between front-line officers and myself."

At few times has that trust been put to the test more than it was during the days that followed the June 22, 2011 shooting and wounding of Peterborough-Lakefield police constable Keith Calderwood during a drug raid in Lindsay. As police personnel from both municipal departments dealt with the shock and emotional trauma of that incident, Rev. Vollmer made himself fully available to not only minister but be a friend.

"I spent something like 22 to 24 hours over two days in two police stations." he recalls of that hectic period.

"After World War One, nobody dealt with shell shock and the result of that was very debilitating for thousands. We've learnt since that if you deal with trauma early on before it gets too far, any lasting effects are greatly reduced. So I encourage officers to take advantage of having a talk with someone who is non-judgmental and can provide some helpful strategies moving forward. But nothing is forced on any one. It's a two-way thing."

"That's quite a change from what was. Back in the '60s and '70s, it was, 'Suck it up, buttercup.' Now there are EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs) and other support resources such as Critical Incident Stress Management. Studies have shown those who take advantage of such programs as well as chaplaincy are less sick. The value of such things is better understood."

---

With two daughters, aged 11 and 8, life away from Lakefield United and his chaplaincy duties is equally busy for Warren and Susan Vollmer. That said, one senses he wouldn't want it any other way. When all is said and done, this is a man whose enthusiasm for what he does comes as naturally as the compassion he possesses in spades..

"There are days when Carol (his church secretary) and I look at each other and wonder how we're going get through but you just do," he says.

"It's funny but before being police chaplain, I never thought of policing as a helping profession. People don't generally think of it like that. But in almost everything they do, they're putting lives back together or at least starting that process. That first introduction is often for all the wrong reasons but it's the first step for many in coming back.

"But that takes a toll, either in one fell swoop or over time. How I perceive my role is to be a support by getting people to engage their faith where that will help. I like to think it makes a difference. After all, the police look after us. When called upon, someone should look after them. That's a privilege."